National Geographic Video

Background

National Geographic Video was the home video label of the National Geographic Society. Throughout its lifespan, its releases were distributed by Vestron Video, Columbia TriStar Home Video and Warner Home Video. In 1999, the National Geographic Video name was phased out and home media rights remained with Warner Home Video until it was transferred to Vivendi Entertainment, then 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and later, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Currently, home media rights to National Geographic documentaries are held by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Contents

1st Logo (March 26, 1986-1999)	2nd Logo (1993-1999)	3rd Logo (1999-2006)

1st Logo (March 26, 1986-1999)

Visuals: On a black background, parts of the yellow rectangle in National Geographic's logo zoom out at an angle, followed by the words "NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC VIDEO" arranged vertically. They stop at the top of the inner part of the rectangle.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: An abridged version of the familiar National Geographic theme composed by Elmer Bernstein. Light whooshes are somewhat audible.

Availability: National Geographic videos were distributed by Vestron Video, Columbia TriStar Home Video and Warner Home Video during this period; multiple examples are National Geographic Video: Iceland River Challenge and For All Mankind. International releases this may or may not have this logo. Australian videos distributed through Time-Life Video do not have this logo.

2nd Logo (1993-1999)

Visuals: Same as the National Geographic Television logo, except "V I D E O" appears below the line instead.

Variant: On promos that appear on their Russian releases, a localised variant appears, with text saying: "НАЦИНАЛЬНОЕ ГЕОГРАФИЧЕСКОЕ О Б Щ Е С Т В О П Р Е Д С Т А В Л Я Е Т".

Technique: A mix of live-action and 2D computer animation.

Audio: Same as the 1st logo, though it's also reorchestrated on other releases.

On most releases, an announcer says "Now Available from National Geographic Home Video." or "And now, our feature presentation."
On some releases, the logo is silent.
On promos from their Russian releases, an announcer says "Смотрите на легальном видео. В лучшых переводах и в коллекционном качестве, лучшие фильмы Национального Географического Общества!"

Availability: Seen on some VHSs and DVDs distributed by Columbia TriStar Home Video or Warner Home Video, such as Tigers of the Snow. It can be seen on VHS releases of Really Wild Animals.

3rd Logo (1999-2006)

Visuals: Over a black background, the camera moves back from the NatGeo logo until the logo faces it. The logo shines. There is text saying "NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC".

Variant: On the feature presentation version, the "FEATURE PRESENTATION" text appears under the National Geographic text.

Technique: CGI animation.

Audio: Abridged version of the National Geographic theme.

Availability: Seen on the VHS of Hindenburg's Fiery Secret.